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How to send a laptop by courier
Compare couriers to send a laptop safely. From £4.15, tracked and signed options, VAT included. Pack it right and quote in 30 seconds.
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Compare couriers to send a laptop
A laptop is small and light but fragile and valuable, so the aim is a fully tracked service with enough cover, packed so the screen and corners are protected. Boxed, a laptop is a small parcel under 2kg, which means it qualifies for the cheapest rates, from £4.15 on economy. ParcelMatch compares every carrier that handles small parcels, including Royal Mail, Evri, DPD and UPS, so you can see the cheapest and fastest tracked options in one search, with VAT included and no account needed to compare or book. Whether you have sold a laptop online, are returning one for repair, or are sending a machine to a family member, the same careful approach applies.
For something valuable, the choice is less about price and more about tracking and cover, both of which ParcelMatch shows against each quote. A signed-for service adds a delivery signature for a little more, which is worth it for an expensive machine. Comparing in one place lets you weigh a slightly dearer service with better cover against the cheapest rate, so you pay for protection only where it is warranted.
Cost
How much does it cost to send a laptop?
A boxed laptop under 2kg is a small parcel, so prices start from £4.15. Here is how the main service types compare, with live figures from the quote engine.
Price follows the larger of the actual and volumetric weight, so a snug box keeps you in the cheapest band.
Economy, trackedfrom£4.152 to 3 working days
Next-day, trackedfrom£5.301 working day
Two-day, trackedfrom£5.892 working days
Next-day signedfrom£7.121 working day
For a laptop, the small extra for a signed-for or higher-cover service is usually worth it.
The signed option at £7.12 gives you a name on delivery, which is the strongest proof of receipt if a buyer later disputes that the parcel arrived.
Packing
How to pack a laptop for posting
Good packing protects the screen and the corners, which are the weak points. Follow these steps:
- step 01
Power the laptop down fully and remove any USB sticks or accessories that stick out.
- step 02
Wrap the laptop in anti-static or bubble wrap, with extra padding over the screen and all four corners.
- step 03
Use a double-walled box a little larger than the laptop, with at least 5cm of padding on every side.
- step 04
Fill every gap with foam or air cushions so the laptop cannot move when the box is shaken.
- step 05
Tape all the seams firmly with the H-taping method, and mark the box fragile.
- step 06
Attach the label flat and clear of any seams or edges.
Before you book
Common mistakes to avoid when sending a laptop
Most laptop damage in transit comes from a handful of easy mistakes. Sending the machine in its original retail box alone is a common one, as that packaging is designed for shelf display, not for being thrown around a sorting hub, so always put it inside a sturdier outer box with padding. Posting in a padded envelope rather than a rigid box leaves the screen exposed to pressure cracks. Leaving the battery at full charge or packing loose cables against the screen can also cause harm, so coil cables separately and sit the laptop in the middle of the padding. Avoid writing "laptop" or a value on the outside, and never leave gaps that let the machine slide, as movement is what cracks screens and bends hinges.
Sending a laptop abroad
You can post a laptop overseas on international tracked services from carriers such as DPD, UPS and Royal Mail, which ParcelMatch compares alongside domestic rates. Complete the customs declaration with an honest description and value, as laptops are commonly checked, and be aware the recipient may owe import duty or tax that is separate from the courier price. The lithium battery inside is usually fine when it stays fitted in the laptop, but shipping a spare battery loose is restricted, so leave it installed and keep the machine switched off.
Should I insure a laptop?
A laptop is valuable, so check the standard cover on each service and add more to match the replacement value. Note that some couriers class electronics as a higher-risk item with cover conditions, so read the terms and keep proof of posting and the serial number. ParcelMatch shows the standard cover against each quote so you can choose a service with enough protection. A dated photo of the packed machine and its serial number makes any claim far simpler to settle.
Should I remove my data first?
If you are selling or returning the laptop, back up your files and sign out of your accounts before you send it. For a valuable machine, a signed-for service gives you a delivery signature as proof of receipt, which protects both sides. Where you are passing the laptop to a new owner, a full factory reset after the backup is the safest way to clear your personal data.
Your choice
Drop-off or collection?
A boxed laptop is small, so dropping it at a local shop, Post Office or locker is easy and usually the cheapest option. A doorstep collection is available on most services for a little more if that suits you better. ParcelMatch shows both in your results.
Couriers
Which couriers take laptops?
| Courier | For a laptop |
|---|---|
| Royal Mail | Royal Mail is often cheapest and fully tracked for a small boxed laptop, with a signed-for upgrade. |
| DPD and UPS | DPD and UPS offer strong tracking and higher cover, good for valuable machines. |
| Evri | Evri is often cheapest on two-day tracked for everyday laptops. |
ParcelMatch shows which carriers quote your size and what each costs.
See all carriersHow it works
How it works
Book in one checkout
Pick a service, add the addresses and pay. Your label lands in your inbox straight away.
Drop off or get collected
Leave it locally or book a collection, then track it on one page.
Why ParcelMatch
Why send a laptop with ParcelMatch
- Every carrier that takes a laptop, compared in one search, from £4.15
- Fully tracked and signed-for options, with VAT included
- Standard cover shown against each quote, with add-on cover available
- Drop-off or collection, whichever suits
- No account needed to compare and book
- One tracking page for every courier
How much does it cost to send a laptop?
From £4.15 for a boxed laptop under 2kg on economy, or from £5.30 for next-day, with VAT included. A signed-for next-day service is £7.12 if you want a signature on delivery.
How do I pack a laptop safely?
Wrap it with padding over the screen and corners, use a double-walled box with 5cm of padding all round, fill the gaps and tape the seams. Never post a laptop in a padded envelope, as the screen needs rigid protection.
What is the cheapest way to send a laptop?
A snug box on an economy tracked service, usually Royal Mail, from £4.15. Keeping the box small holds you in the cheapest small-parcel band.
Can I get next-day delivery for a laptop?
Yes, from £5.30 on a tracked next-day service across mainland Britain, or £7.12 with a signature on delivery for extra proof of receipt.
Should I insure a laptop when posting it?
Yes, match the cover to the replacement value and keep proof of posting and the serial number. Some couriers set conditions on electronics cover, so read the terms before you book.
Should I wipe my laptop before sending it?
If you are selling or passing it on, back up your files, sign out of your accounts and do a factory reset. This protects your data once the machine is out of your hands.
Can I send a laptop abroad?
Yes, on international tracked services. Complete the customs declaration accurately, leave the battery fitted and switched off, and expect the recipient may owe import duty or tax.
Can I track a laptop in transit?
Yes. Every booking includes tracking, with a signed-for upgrade available. You follow every carrier on one ParcelMatch tracking page.
Ready when you are
Compare prices to send a laptop now
Two postcodes and the box size is all it takes, from £4.15 with VAT included.
£4.15a laptop from